Tag Archives: food

csa 2011: share 1

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csa 2011: share 1

Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start to summer, they say. And when our CSA starts, you know that’s true! Oh, how I missed my bi-weekly bounty of fresh, local, organic vegetables last year. And this first share did not disappoint me.

Considering how wet the spring was, combined with the crazy heat of the last few days, I am really impressed with these greens. We got 2 heads of lettuce, 1 bok choy, 1 lb. spinach, 1 bunch of radishes, and 1 bunch of salad turnips. Instead of the turnips I could have chosen 1/2 lb. of mixed greens (arugula, tat soi, etc.), but I really enjoy those little turnips and between the lettuces and the spinach we have more than enough.

I’m already planning on making myself eggs Florentine tomorrow morning, perhaps with a little Swiss cheese. The bok choy? Sigh… I will dutifully search for some recipes and give it another try. There has got to be a way to prepare it that I will find enjoyable. If you have a favorite way to make it, I am all ears.

menu plan monday

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Is it really May? Then why is it weirdly chilly and so rainy? Eh… oh well. At least the weather makes for cozy days, right? This week is going to be so crazy. We have Drew’s dad & stepmom coming up from Miami on Thurs. We have various school activities. And I am doing all the prep work for Laura’s 2nd birthday party, which we are having on Sunday. So I am trying to keep things super simple because I don’t need to be more stressed out! I am also not doing much grocery shopping because I need to clean out the fridge for the party. (Have I told you how much I hate having a side-by-side fridge? It makes it very challenging when you have party platters and whatnot.)

  • Sunday: Grilled chicken salads
  • Monday: Sausage parm sandwiches, broccoli cheese soup
  • Tuesday: Dinner out
  • Wednesday: Grilled chicken, whatever I can find in the fridge for sides, LOL.
  • Thursday: Sandwiches, chips (In-laws are getting in from Miami, so I need something I can make the kids and us earlier and have for them later)
  • Friday: Grilled London Broil, grilled chicken with Piri-Piri Sauce, baked potatoes, tossed salad
  • Saturday: Whatever you can find in the fridge or freezer 😉

If I make it through this week with my sanity in check, then I will most definitely have earned that big slice of cake I am looking forward to on Sunday.

(Side note: while I have not been as diligent with exercising as I’d hoped to be this month, I am still down  2.5 lbs, which is awesome since I am really only trying for about 7 lbs. And really, this is just by cutting down on sugar. If I could eliminate carbs I’d be doing much better, but I have a Celiac panel later this month along with my routine thyroid bloodwork, so I have to continue eating bread and pasta, etc. at least until then. All in all, I’m pretty happy with my progress!)
For more menu ideas, visit Organizing Junkie’s Menu Plan Monday feature.

menu plan monday

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Another week, another meal plan! Nothing unusual this week, just recipes I can throw together pretty easily. I’m really looking forward to making the slow-cooker gyros again. They were a huge hit with everyone last time. I’m not sure what kind of quiche I’ll make this week. Maybe spinach, bacon, and swiss? Zucchini, tomato, and mozzarella? Anyway, here’s my plan:

  • Sunday: Turkey tacos
  • Monday: Crock-Pot Gyros
  • Tuesday: Beef & veggie stir fry
  • Wednesday: Quiche, salad
  • Thursday: BBQ chicken, cole slaw, baked beans
  • Friday: Broccoli-cheese soup, salad
  • Saturday: Leftovers or take-out

For more menu ideas, visit Organizing Junkie’s Menu Plan Monday feature.

menu plan monday

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If you celebrated Easter yesterday, I hope you enjoyed a wonderful holiday! We spent the day with my husband’s family. The kids all loved the annual egg hunt and were thrilled to find money in a few eggs (no military coins, though). My MIL sent us home with a huge container of ham, so I can’t wait to make some split-pea soup. It also saves me a trip to the deli counter — the boys love ham sandwiches for lunch.

So this week is all about getting back into routines. School is back in session, vacation is over, and we’re back to the daily grind. And that’s fine by me! The first thing I did was draft up this week’s meal plan:

For more menu ideas, visit Organizing Junkie’s Menu Plan Monday feature.

easy easter desserts

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Easter Eggs

Are you looking for a last-minute dessert to bring to Easter dinner? Here are a few ideas for you from my blog archives!

Easter Nests~ Easter Nests ~
I’ve seen several variations on this cookie, but this version courtesy of my friend Kelly is by far the best!

 

Sugar Cookie Cake ~ Sugar Cookie Cake ~
This delicious cake is so simple, but perfect after a big dinner. Add a little whipped cream and some fresh berries to make it extra-special! (It is also insanely yummy with some lemon curd spread over the top.)

 

Under the Sea Jell-O Mold ~ Under the Sea Jell-O Mold ~
In our family, it’s just not a holiday unless Jell-O is somehow involved. My mom made this dessert for special occasions when I was growing up and it’s a great balance of creamy and fruity.


We’ll be celebrating Easter at my mother-in-law’s this year. I believe that ham and scalloped potatoes are on the menu, but I’m not sure what else. I wasn’t asked to bring anything (sniff, sniff…), but maybe I’m getting a break since I host several other holidays. I might make something anyway. If you celebrate Easter this weekend, what are you taking to dinner?

menu plan monday

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There’s not going to be too much cooking going on in my kitchen this week because I’m trying to use up odds and ends. Next week is spring break for our school district (conveniently coinciding with the Passover and Easter holidays), and we have several outings planned. Therefore, I really don’t want a fridge full of leftovers that won’t get eaten.

So, while this might not be the most exciting menu I’ve ever posted, that’s OK. Sometimes, it just has to be dinner.

  • Sunday: Whatever you can find in the fridge
  • Monday: Leftover buffet
  • Tuesday: Sandwiches, chips, salad
  • Wednesday:Western fritatta, green salad
  • Thursday: Ham steaks, au gratin potatoes, some sort of vegetable
  • Friday: “Dal nirvana,” rice; cheese pizza & raw veggies for the kids
  • Saturday: Take-out

For more menu ideas, visit Organizing Junkie’s Menu Plan Monday feature.

just ducky

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Today I…

… feel grouchy

… can’t seem to warm up

… wish it wasn’t Friday because I want a big, gooey cheeseburger

***

But I also …

… have a cozy baby sleeping in my lap

… got the newest Alicia Paulson pattern, Mina

… have a giant tub of cookie dough in the fridge

 

So I guess it all evens out.

{Recipe} Sour Patch Grapes (a.k.a. “Glitter Grapes”)

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{Update April 2, 2013) – Welcome Pintester readers! What can I say? Guess these just aren’t for everyone. If you think they’re gross, that’s OK. I think beets are gross. Tomato – tomahto, right? Anyway, if you try these and aren’t impressed, here’s a tip: put the grapes in a colander and rinse off the Jell-O powder and you’re left with plain grapes again. Also? If you use a different flavor of Jell-O (I used MELON, not lime), or sugar-free, they’re probably NOT going to taste like the original recipe. Just sayin’. And finally? Guys… it’s grapes and Jell-O. I think the expectations are a little too high, LOL… 

{Update June 26, 2012} – I am completely overwhelmed by all the pins for this blog post! I am so glad that so many people are enjoying these. And thanks for all of your great suggestions in the comments. I am definitely trying them frozen this summer! Since originally posting this recipes, I have made the glitter grapes with a few different flavors, but my favorite is still either Melon Fusion or Watermelon (depending on what I find at the store). I still have not tried them with sugar-free Jell-O, but I will try to get to that. In the meantime… thanks for visiting!

Jake’s Pinewood Derby was a couple weeks ago and our den was asked to bring fruit to the event. While it is super great that they are encouraging more healthful snacks at scouting events, I was racking my brain for some way to make fruit more exciting. It couldn’t involve skewers because, well… all those crazy boys were going to be running around. I could just envision one going right through a Wolf scout’s eye or something. Shudder.

Then I remembered a link that Dara had posted on Facebook. It was for sparkly sweet grapes. Perfect! I’d had sugar frosted grapes before and enjoyed them, but I have never felt comfortable with the whole raw egg-wash thing. It’s one thing if I’m making them for a small group of people I know well, but not for a community event. There are too many people with egg allergies these days. I’d hate to be the person who made someone sick. Glitter Grapes, however, do not require anything questionable. All you need are grapes and Jell-O.

glitter grapes
I went with green grapes and Melon Fusion Jell-O. I wasn’t sure how the color of the gelatin would effect the the overall color of the grapes, so I tried to keep it in the same family.

The first thing you do is thoroughly wash your grapes. Don’t skimp on the water. The grapes need to be wet in order for the Jell-O to stick to them.
glitter grapes

Next, pour out about 1/3 of the Jell-O powder onto a plate.
glitter grapes

Drop a handful of grapes into the powder and coat them on all sides.
glitter grapes

You can use a spoon if it’s easier. The powder tends to gunk up on your fingers (yes, “gunk up” is the technical term).
glitter grapes

Add more gelatin powder as needed and continue the process until all the grapes are covered. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
glitter grapes

And that’s it! I am calling them “sour patch grapes” because quite a few people thought I got my hands on some of the sugar they use on Sour Patch Kids. This recipe was seriously easy and seriously good. Believe it or not, people were actually looking for me so I could tell them how I made the grapes, LOL! And Drew overheard two boys from the Webelos II den talking about how good the glitter grapes were. He said, “If they inspired a couple 5th grade boys to talk about them long after they’re gone, I think you’ve got a winner.” Ha! 🙂 This will probably be my go-to picnic/potluck dish this summer. I’m sure other flavors of Jell-O are good, too. But I’m sticking with the melon!

Sour Patch Grapes (a.k.a. Glitter Grapes)

glitter grapes

1 pound of green seedless grapes, pulled from the stems and rinsed
1 3-oz. package of Melon Fusion Jell-O (NOT prepared)
Water
Directions

Rinse the grapes under water until all are clean and wet. Spread the gelatin mix on a plate, about 1/3 at a time. Place a handful of grapes on the plate and gently roll each grape in the gelatin powder until it is covered. Place the coated grapes into a bowl and repeat the process with the remaining ingredients until all of the grapes are covered. Place the bowl and let set in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, until the gelatin is set. The colder these are, the better they taste!

Be sure to visit Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom to check out other delicious recipes!




asparagus & ham omelette with goat cheese

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asparagus & ham omelette with goat cheese

Laura is going through a phase of testing her independence. At home, it can be frustrating, but relatively easy to handle. Out at the store, however? Notsomuch. My last few grocery shopping trips were real exercises in patience. She refuses to sit in the cart and insists on walking, so you can imagine how much fun it is to push a wobbly grocery carriage with one hand and hold Laura’s hand with the other, all the while convincing her that yes we do indeed have go up the frozen foods aisle.

The only solution was that I had to stop taking her with me. Now, I’m used to going out a couple times a week (mostly just to get out of the house) so now I had to adapt to a new shopping routine, going just once a week. The forced planning has actually been good, and I’ve had to become a little more creative, using what we have on hand. Today’s lunch was the perfect example of what can happen when you realize that your sanity is more important than getting those extra few ingredients.

I had some leftover roasted asparagus, a bit of goat cheese, and of course ham and eggs which are always in my fridge. An omelette sounded like the perfect lunch! (Not to mention full of protein. You can have your creatine supplements; I’ll take eggs.) I threw together a simple salad (complete with homemade croutons!) and drizzled on a bit of my current favorite salad dressing: the Cook’s Illustrated Cobb Salad Dressing. I’m currently obsessed with this one. My friend had us over for lunch last week and made it and I cannot get enough of it. Seriously, I think I could just drink it. But I won’t. Ahem.

Anyway, my point is that I made this healthy, yummy meal and devoured it before I could even possibly have gone out to the store and come back home. Lesson learned.

asparagus & ham omelette with goat cheese
Deliciousness.

menu plan monday: snowy spring edition

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You wouldn’t know it from the way it looks outside, but it’s the first full day of spring today! We have some snow out there that is actually starting to accumulate — yikes! Maybe that trip to the library and CVS will have to be put off until tomorrow. Anyway, it’s a short cooking week for me. I only need to plan through Thursday. That shouldn’t be too hard to do 😉

  • Sunday: Chinese take-out
  • Monday: Spaghetti with marinara, hot sausages & meatballs, tossed salad
  • Tuesday: Cheeseburgers, fries, steamed broccoli & caulifower
  • Wednesday: Margarita chicken, black beans and rice, pico de gallo
  • Thursday: Leftovers
  • Friday: no cooking
  • Saturday: no cooking

For more menu ideas, visit Organizing Junkie’s Menu Plan Monday feature.